Feds: 4 years in prison for ex-Rep. Jackson Jr.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a four-year prison sentence for former Illinois Democratic Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who has pleaded guilty to illegally diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds to personal use.

Under the Justice Department recommendations, Jackson would have to forfeit the $750,000 he stole from his campaign, and pay back another $750,000 to his reelection committee. Prosecutors are asking that someone not related to Jackson be appointed to run the campaign, which would then be “wound down.”

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In a break for Jackson and his wife — former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, who also pleaded guilty in the case — prosecutors have requested that their prison sentences be staggered so that both aren’t in prison at the same time. Sandi Jackson faces up to 18 months in federal prison as part of the couple’s illegal scheme. The couple have two young children.

Once a rising star in Democratic politics, the 48-year-old Jackson pleaded guilty in February to using more than $750,000 from his campaign to cover a stunning range of personal expenses in thousands of transactions, including including home renovations, furniture, school tuition, groceries, a $43,000 Rolex watch, fur coats and memorabilia associated with Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Bruce Lee.

In the sentencing memo filed by DOJ on Friday, prosecutors said Jackson cooperated fully with federal investigators, saving the Justice Department the time and expense of a criminal trial. This cooperation, and Jackson’s “contrition” for his crimes, led to a relatively light sentencing recommendation for the ex-Democratic lawmaker, said Ronald Machen, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, who is overseeing the case for the Justice Department.

“Therefore, [Jackson], through his cooperation, not only saved the government the expense of a trial, but he also saved the government the expense of conducting the tail-end of its investigation into the Defendant’s misconduct,” Machen wrote.

In a response to the DOJ filing, Jackson’s attorneys said the former Democratic lawmaker should be sentenced for a shorter period of time than prosecutors are seeking, although they did not recommend a specific length of incarceration.

Among the factors Jackson’s attorneys mentioned in their own, partially redacted court filing seeking leniency was Jackson’s mental health problems. Jackson disappeared from the House last year in order to be treated for bipolar disorder.

“Mr. Jackson’s severe depression and bipolar disorder require intense ongoing treatment. His mental health may well worsen under the stress of incarceration, making a below-Guidelines sentence crucial to his continued well-being,” wrote Reid Weingarten, Brian Heberlig and William Drake of the law firm Steptoe & Johnson. “Mr. Jackson’s need for ongoing mental health treatment, outstanding record of good works both large and small, as well as his close family and community ties all argue for leniency.”

Portions of their filing outlining Jackson’s mental state were redacted.

The Jackson defense team noted that none of Jackson’s donors has contacted the court complaining about the diversion of funds, and also cited legislation he had passed, including bills addressing mental health treatment for minorities, aid for Darfur and other war-torn regions, clean water regulations and public-works projects in the South Side Chicago district that he represented in the House for 17 years.